Introduction
For some time many people have wanted to use my iFlash iPod CF adapter with the new generation of large format SD memory cards. SDHC and SDXC are the new generation of SD cards which are cheaper and have capacities of upto 256Gb and growing.
SDXC Installation
Installation
7g and 256Gb PNY
Installation is simple, the iFlash is first installed – then install the SD card in to your SD-CF Adapter – finally insert the whole thing in to the iFlash, ready to restore the iPod.
SDHC and SDXC which cards to get
So far all the SDHC and SDXC cards I tested worked ok, so it is looking likely that majority of the SD cards out there will work ok.
In terms of card speed, one user has reported issues playing FLACS with a Class 4 card. I would suggest you want a minimum of a Class 6 card with Class 10 the prefered option.
So far… working and tested in 5g / 6g / 7g iPods
iPod 5g with 256Gb PNY
The current compatibility list has been moved to the iFlash-Solo product page.
Am I right about the total cost being close to $300 for 256gb card and all adapter and tools?
So not possible to do 256 gb card on thick ipod classic.
ipod 20 gb 4th generation? does that work?
Was quoted $400CDN for a 240 gb hd replacement for the 160 Classic.
Thanks All
@Antonio – On the store page I have a pdf with specific iPod model numbers and storage limitations, the thick 160Gb 6g is limited to 128Gb when using any storage device other than the original CE-ATA 160Gb HDD.
I have removed Jon’s email address I will pass that to you directly via email.
@Antonio
Email me at *****Removed******
So you’re saying that a 256 won’t work on my 160 gb classic?
Or it will work but but not with iTunes and I need to use Rockbox?
Also, I’m guessing the total cost for Tarkan’s kit and the PNY 256GB card will end up running close to $300 CDN, is that correct?
Thanks
@Antonio
If you have a thick 160GB Classic then it can’t see 256GB because of the way Apple designed that model. Only the 160GB slim can climb above and beyond.
PNY 256GB is the go to cards if you want 256GB
Hi Guys,
I appreciate all the help. Really interested in turning this into something more and have missed using my musical library. I’m sort of of the east end of Toronto. In and around the Coxwell and Damforth area.
Was looking at prices on these though and am seeing that the 256 cards are running in and around $275 and not including adapters and other materials need. Is that accuarte?
Do we know if the PNY is the only confirmed compatible card for the 160 GB thick version iPod?
http://www.ebay.ca/itm/PNY-Technologies-256GB-Elite-Performance-SDXC-Memory-Card-90MBPS-Read-Speed-/390999957411?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5b0969dfa3#shpCntId
Also, is there any confirmation on a 256 gb card working on a iPOd 4th Generation 20 GB ipod (non video)?
Thanks all
@Antonio I do it but you would have to pay for shipping both ways.
@ Jon and Pihstekcor, awesome of you two for offering to help Antonio 🙂 Cheers!
Thanks so much. Unfortunately, can’t find any place in Toronto, Canada to do the job. iRepair places are not doing it. I would do it myself but am unable to. I guess the project will have to be put on hold. I appreciate all your help. I guess i’ll have to painfully make do with my old 20gb ipod, Ouch
If anyone knows of any place that does the work, i’d love to know. and get a 256gb card in her.
thanks
Why not shipping it to Tarkan or another fellow member here. Are you a member of Head-Fi?
What area of toronto are you in? I’m in the east side. I’ve done the conversion on a video iPod (5th I think) and just replaced the headphone jack on my 120 gb iPod classic this week. (Since the sd card I bought for the video iPod turned out to be non compatible). Might be able to lend a hand
Thanks so much. My 160GB is toast and so I guess it would make most sense to work on that one. Once the card is in and iPod closed, and job done, does it appear in iTunes and is music added as it used to be when it had the HD installed or is there a different method to it now?
Also, what cost would I be looking at for everything i need?
Reader, SF card, and anything else?
I’m assuming only one port for one memory card available?
Be kind of great to do it to the 20 gb 4g click wheel (no video) and the 160 GB Classic, if possible and cost effective. An audiophile playpen.
Thanks Peter.
Antonio: Tarkan’s $33 kit includes everything you need, unless you have a thick 160GB 6G or 6.5G iPod. Then you’ll need the HDD ribbon as well, for $2.80.
iTunes syncs as normal up to libraries with 50,000 songs or 128GB, whichever you hit first. If you want to go beyond that, you need to use Rockbox or iPodLinux (alternative firmwares for you to “sync different”).
Tarkan’s adaptors only have one port for one memory card. I’ve bought a third-party adaptor with dual microSD card slots:
EXTREME CF Adapter 2 Micro SD SDHC SDXC 雙TF 轉 CF Type I 轉接卡
http://goods.ruten.com.tw/item/show?21202104904364
It’s working in my iPod Photo 4.5G, but not in my iPod Video 5.5G yet. That may change when I receive Tarkan’s adaptors.
Hi there,
Just totalled hd on my 160 gb classic as it fell. Replacement costs crazy.
Wondering if this will also work on an iPod 4th Generation 20GB click wheel (not the colour model).
Would love to upgrade to a 256 gb card/storage for my ipod if possible.
Thanks so much
Hi Antonio,
Tarkan’s adaptors are perfect for your 160GB classic.
If you want to do the same mod on a 4th Generation iPod, you’ll need a different IDE-to-CF adaptor, but you can use Tarkan’s SD-to-CF adaptor. Or you can buy that separately; your call. Tarkan’s SD to CF adaptors are probably more likely to work though (one of my third-party ones doesn’t).
The adaptor you need for the 4th gen iPod is called a “cf 1.8 ide adapter”. I’m using one in my iPod Photo right now.
I’ve tested the Transcend 256GB SDXC card in the iPod Photo, but I chose not to buy it when the PQI Air Card wouldn’t detect it. I can confirm that it is possible to have a 256GB iPod 4G with SD storage. If you need me to do another test with an actual 4th gen black & white iPod, I can try to ask in the store again.
Peter
I tested the 256GB Transcend Ultimate last night, using a non-Tarkan adaptor in an iPod Photo.
I was testing the SDXC card in-store without buying it, so I didn’t have time to fill it with music.
iTunes detected the iPod as expected, and allowed me to restore. The restore process took about 5 minutes, and eventually gave an error -50. However, when I unplugged the iPod, it had received the firmware correctly! It asked me to plug it into external power, which I did, and the firmware loaded. After that, it worked fine, and was detected by iTunes as a 256GB iPod.
Unfortunately the 256GB card didn’t work with my SD-to-microSD to PQI Air Card, so I didn’t buy it after all. I might try to test again with another WiFi microSD-to-SD card adaptor.
I would be doing these tests with Tarkan boards, but I’m still waiting for delivery to Taiwan after a month. Tarkan! Please don’t forget me.
Peter
Tarkan,
I just received the bundle and the tools I ordered. I plan to use the PNY 256 card in the install and I have a 7g classic 160, model #A1238. Does the card need to be exFat formatted before the installation, or should I just install and let iTunes restore the unit?
Carlos
Just let iTunes restore, it should work ok.
@tarkan
Hello, I purchased the sd-cf bundle on 3/15. Just curious how long it’s taking to ship out. Excited to mod my pod! I ended up with the 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC Class 10 SD 30MB/S.
Thanks
i just upgraded my iPod Video 30GB with a “128Gb SDXC UHS-I Qumox” SDXC card (cheapest one i could find :D) and it works nearly perfectly!
only issue is that file transfer between ipod/pc is very unstable and slow while using Rockbox (might be something to add to the list above?). if i boot up the original Firmware it works just fine with 5-7Mb/s (10MB/s on the orig. HDD).
Thank you very much for the Adapter!!
That is right, the Rockbox USB Handler is broken, causes slow transfers and if you leave it long enough filesystem corruption – You need to dual boot in to the Apple OS and do your transfers, then you can boot back in to Rockbox.
Tarkan,
I remind that the workaround, related to the Rockbox data transfer issue, is using version 3.6 of Rockbox or using the latest version by dropping the iPod into diskmode before connecting to the computer and transfering your music.
Would that work with “128Gb SDXC UHS-I Qumox”, as well?
@Tarkan
Are there any known issues with 64GB SanDisk Ultra SDXC Class 10 SD 30MB/S? I believe this is the same as on your list of known working. Thanks!
@Richard and @Tarkan.
Thanks both for your replies and patience. I got a chance last night to do some more reading.
Tarkan, this is great stuff and thanks for doing this. Can’t wait to try it out.
I also do realize now that it’s more economical using the SD cards. I will more than likely go that route. I’ll stay in contact and let you know how it goes. Thanks again!
@Richard D.
I think I see now. I need to order the bundle in order to have everything I need except for the SDXC card. Is there any particular advantage or difference between using CF or SDXC?
@Tarkan
By quality I was just trying to determine if there’s any advantage of using a CF card vs a SDXC card when doing this? I would like to increase my storage to 128gb.
I have never seen a cheap enough CF to make it worthwhile.
If you buy the bundle, iflash and SDCF adapter you effectively have both options open to you for your iPod
As you can use the iflash and SDCF adapter with a SDXC
or just the iflash and CF on its own if you have big CF (or find one in the future)
CF sizes don’t seem to have progressed much beyond 64gb commonly
And those 64gb 128gb or 256gb that are about are very expensive.
If you do have a big CF you can experiment and tell us !
If there is any benefit.
Personally I was amazed by how much lighter my iPod felt.
I did have the CF adapter work lose once.
But once I packed the spare space with a bit of bubble wrap it’s been fine.
Like I said SDXC is the preferred option now in many ways. The CF does have a lead in power consumption compared to SDXC but the difference is not huge and both options will still increase your runtime on average by over 50% compared to the original HDD.
@Richard D.
Thanks for info. I’m new to this. Although, I am familiar with opening/repairing Ipod Videos. So, do I just need Tarkan’s adapter or do I need the bundle? Sorry for the I’m sure stupid question! I will look at that SDXC card for sure. I will be going from a 30gb hopefully to a 128gb. Can’t wait! Thanks
@tarkan
Hello, I am interested in knowing if there is a quality difference between using CF vs SD. Since SD appears to be less expensive, can you recommend a 128gb and a 64gb? I will be installing in my Ipod video 5th gen. Also, I assume I would just need to purchase the correct adapter for either CF or SD. Thanks for your help!
Not sure what you mean by quality – but I recommend my iFlash-bundle + SDXC card it is the best combination for replacing the original HDD. Price is much better than CF card and there are less compatibility issues.
@mobes.
Using tarkan’s adaptor I put a Qumox 128gb SDXC in my iPod video 5g.
Had been 60gb. Now is lighter and faster and twice as big:)
Qumox does sound like a dodgy make.
But it works well and is not too high priced.
Don’t hesitate , do it !
Good luck.